Mr Neal, in his History of the Puritans, says, that Dr Hill" was a good scholar, and very careful of the Antiquities and Privileges of the University: a strict Calvinist, a plain, powerful, and practical, Preacher, and of an holy and unblameable conversation." "A holy life is the most persuasive sermon, expressed too in a language which men of all nations equally understand. It even explains what other sermons mean, instead of needing to be explained by them. Men will see more beauty in a truly virtuous action, than in the most rhetorical description we can give of it; and then they lose no time, for they see it at once: whereas, besides the necessary expence of time, much skill and address must likewise be employed, to unfold it in such a manner as to make it thoroughly understood and relished."* Our reformers were eminently distinguished by a holy life, the importance of which is well expressed by Mr Walker. In this way, the ministers of the glorious Gospel of the grace of God preached without ceasing. They exhibited continually the amiable religion of Jesus, in their practice, and afforded an easy opportunity of read. ing the wholesome laws of Christ's house every day.That alone can be accounted true religion, which dwells in the heart, and which constantly displays its peculiar influence in the life.-Dr Hill was a divine very eminent for humility and holiness, an excellent and useful preacher, and of great learning and moderation; but no friend to Arminianism. He used to lay his hand upon his breast, and say, "Every true Christian has something here, that will frame an argument against Arminianism." Mr Henry Oatland, one of the ejected ministers, who was one of his pupils, and admitted into Trinity college while he was master, observes, that he derived unspeakable advantage from Dr Hill's plain but truly excellent method of preaching and advancing Christ. He says, "that he learned more of Christ in one year, from Dr Hill's preaching, and almost daily expositions in the chapel a Mr Walker's Sermons, of Edin. vol. i. ser. i. b than he had all his time before in the country." Mr John Machin, another of the ejected ministers, going to the University, without any view to the ministry, or to continue there, on his first going thither, had a gracious change effected in him, chiefly by the preaching of Dr Hill; and that of Dr Arrowsmith was much to his comfort and edification. No sooner did he find this blessed change in his heart, than his friends found it by his letters; by which, together with his exemplary conversation afterward, he was the means of converting his three sisters, and there was room to hope, both his parents, as Mr Palmer informs us, in his Nonconformist's Memorial, Dr Hill was very highly esteemed by the Earl of War. wick, in whose family he became acquainted with Mrs Willford, governess to the Earl's daughter, whom he afterward married. When the committee of accommodation was appointed by the House of Lords, to consider the innovations in religion, Dr Hill, with several bishops and other learned divines, was chosen a member of the sub-committee, to prepare materials for their debate. And, when the committee of accommodation was revived by order of Parliament, he was appointed one of its learned members."-In the University, he dilignetly employed all his talents and zeal in the advancement of sound learning and genuine piety, and in the due observance of college exercises, He was the author of several pieces, chiefly sermons before the Parliament, among which are: 1. The Trade of Truth Advanced, in a Sermon from Prov, xxiii. 23. to the Honourable House of Commons, at their solemn Fast, 27th of July, 1642. 4to, pp. 59. London, 1642. p-2. The Militant Church Triumphant over the Dragon and his Angels; a Sermon preached from Rev. xii. 11, to both Houses of Parliament, at an extraordinary Fast, 21st of July, 1643, 4to, pp. 31. London, 1643,-3. The Good Old Way, God's Way to Soul-refreshing Rest; VOL. II. a Calamy's Contin. vol. ii. p. 885. b Brook's Puritans, vol. iii." F 4to. a Sermon from Jer. vi. 16. to the Lord Mayor, and Court of Aldermen of London, 24th April, 1644, Fast. London, 1644-4. The Season for England's Self Reflection, and Advancing Temple- Work; a Sermon preached from Hag. i. 7, 8. to the two Houses of Parliament, Aug. 13, 1644, being an extraordinary day of Humiliation pp. 37. London, 1644.-5. The Right Separation Encouraged, in a Sermon preached from 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. to the Right Honourable the House of Lords, in the Abbey-church at Westminster, on Wednesday, Nov. 27th, 1644, being the day of the monthly public Fast pp. 35. London, 1645. It is said, that Dr Hill has several other Sermons; but I have not seen these. 4to. THOMAS HODGES, B. D. MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT KENSINGTON, AND A MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER. THOMAS HODGES was Minister of the Gospel at Kensington, in the county of Middlesex, near London, several years. He was at Kensington when he was chosen to be a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. He took his seat in that Assembly, and gave constant attendance during the session. He was a Covenanter, and preached sometimes before the Parliament. Some sermons which he preached before the Parliament were then printed, and are still extant. In a sermon which he preached before the Honourable House of Com mons, from 2 Pet. ii. 2. and in his epistle dedicatory, which is prefixed to that sermon, he complains very much of the growth and spreading of heresy, and of the fruitfulness of the press in producing many monstrous mis shapen births. He says, in his address to the learned and brave patriots, "Is it not time to cry to you for help? There is nothing more excellent than God's truth, nor of more concernment than man's soul; both lie a-bleed ing." Mr Hodges maintained, as our reformers did, in general, that the care and reformation of religion belonged to civil rulers, and constituted one of the principal duties of their office. Accordingly, he farther adds, in the above-mentioned sermon, in addressing the House of Commons," I beseech you shew mercy to lovely Truth, that beam of glory, daughter of heaven, that clue of mercy let down into this dark erring world, to lead us through the many labyrinths of a benighted mind, erring thoughts, misleading examples, and dark temptations, to bliss and happiness. For she suffers, and is here like to perish from us, and be utterly lost, or at least shrewdly eclipsed, if you relieve her not. What have we to leave posterity, so precious as this Way of Truth? If that be gone, the glory is departed from Israel, and fare-. well all. Have we received it from our ancestors in lustreand purity, and is it not grievous to us, that in our time it should be so mangled and defaced, that our children after us, except it be timely prevented, will scarcely be able to distinguish between it and error? Why did the valiant Martyrs shed their precious blood, but to maintain this way of truth? And shall we lose and let it go at so cheap a rate, and not mourn for it? The Jews of old, when they heard blasphemy, used to rend their cloaths, to testify the inward rending of their hearts: Can ours be whole when the foolish people so much defame God's truth, and blaspheme his name?" He concludes his sermon, with recommending to the learned auditory, to encourage catechising, whereby poor souls may be taught the principles of religion in the plainest manner, and that there might be milk for babes.-To plant a learn ed and able Ministry in every eminent place. And here, he says, "Give me leave to suggest unto you, That there are many learned men in this kingdom, whom God hath not gifted with elocution and other the like abilities for pulpit-work, yet would be very fit to maintain the Truth by their pen, against destroying errors, might they but have encouragement." He adds, "Settle with all convenient speed your Confession of Faith, wherein people may take notice what is allowed for Truth, upon mature debate; and with little pains discern what is right or wrong." And that error might be effectually suppressed, and truth established, he advises the worthy senators, as the guardians and foster-fathers of Truth, to take special care of the Universities, that learning and piety be suffi ciently encouraged in these useful fountains. And that reading the Holy Scriptures, and pious exercises, might be more in use among them. Wood says, that after his Majesty's restoration, Mr Hodges became rector of St Peter's church in Cornhill, London, and dean of Hereford in the place of Dr H Croft who was made bishop thereof in 1661; and that holding that deanery to the time of his death, he was succeeded therein by Dr George Benson about Mid-summer, in the year 1672.* His writings.-1. A Glimpse of God's Glory; a Sermon from Psalm cxiii. 5, 6. before the House of Commons, at their solemn Fast, 28th Sept. 1642. 4to. pp. 41. Lond. 1642.-2. The Growth and Spreading of Heresy; a Sermon from 2 Pet. ii. 2. before the Honourable House of Commons, at their public Fast for the growth of heresy, 10th of March 1646. 4to. pp. 60. London, 1647. 3. Inaccessible Glory: or, The Impossibility of seeing God's Face while we are in the body; a Sermon from Exod. xxxiii 20. at the funeral of Sir Theod. de Mayerne, in the church of St Martin's in the Fields, on the 30th of March, 1655. 4to. London, 1655. It is said, that he has a Sermon from Gen. i. 81. but I have not seen it. a Wood's Fasti Qxon, vol. ii. p. 31. 2d edit. |